topic Child and dependant care tax credit in Deductions & credits

Child and dependant care tax credit

Memphisrain1972 — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 04:02:08 GMT

The father of my child is completely out of the picture my dad and I take care of my children so I let him claim child tax credit and because I pay for all the child care so I can work I claim the child and dependant care credit I have done this in the past no problems but for my 2023 taxes it is rejecting it because he has already used the ssn for child tax credit what do I do

Re: Child and dependant care tax credit

Bsch4477 — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 04:21:40 GMT

You can’t split dependent benefits. Only the one claiming the dependent can receive all of the credits.

Re: Child and dependant care tax credit

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:26:17 GMT

Who is the "him" that you allowed to claim your child? The child's bio-dad----or YOUR father? You and your own father cannot split the child-related credits. If that is what you and your own dad tried to do, that was incorrect. The child cannot be claimed on two tax returns. So....either you or your father has to make changes. Your father can amend his return and remove the child as a dependent---and pay back the child tax credit he received.

You cannot e-file now anyhow---e-filing is closed. Your return must be filed by mail. If you are the custodial parent you can enter your child in MY INFO and say whether there is a signed form 8332 for the child. If the other parent claimed child-related credits improperly, the IRS will sort that out.

Are you the custodial parent? Do you have an agreement with the other parent to allow the other parent to claim them--due to divorce or that you live apart and share custody? Did one of you sign a Form 8332?

If there is a signed 8332 then the custodial parent retains the right to file as Head of Household, get earned income credit and the childcare credit. The non-custodial parent gets the child tax credit for children under the age of 17.

As far as the IRS is concerned, the custodial parent is the one with whom the child spent the most nights during the tax year--at least 183 nights.

There CANNOT be a form 8332 between you and your own dad. There can only be a 8332 between you and the other parent of the child.

Re: Child and dependant care tax credit

Opus 17 — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:35:22 GMT

Short answer: You can't do that.

Long answer: The only time it is permissible to "split" the benefits of claiming a dependent is with the other parent when you are separated or divorced and living apart. Otherwise, you can't do that.

If you and your child live with your father, then your father can only claim the child as a dependent if his taxable income is higher than yours. And, whoever claims the child (you or your father) must claim all the dependent benefits, including head of household filing status, EIC, the child tax credit, and the dependent care credit. Those benefits can't be split or shared.